Sugarbush downhill mountain biking opens for the season on June 24

06/14/2011

WARREN, VERMONT -- With chairlift-served downhill mountain biking trails opening for the season on June 24, Sugarbush Resort is unveiling new deals, new trail features, and a new fleet of demo equipment.

Built over the last four seasons, Sugarbush’s trail system includes 25 miles of professionally maintained “gravity-fed” biking trails. The network blends a broad variety of beginner, intermediate and race-ready expert terrain – including double track, single track, banked corners, wooden boardwalks, ramps, and a growing base area terrain park and skills area.

Served by the Super Bravo high-speed quad, the Sugarbush trail network is easy to navigate, thanks to a comprehensive, color-coded summer trail map that uses a similar trail rating system to winter’s traditional green circles, blue squares and black diamonds.

“Downhill mountain biking at Sugarbush is a must-do adventure for both locals and visitors to the area,” said Win Smith, president of Sugarbush. “If you haven’t tried it yet, you owe it to yourself to get out on the trails this summer.”

New for 2011, Sugarbush is unveiling a “First Timer to Life Timer' instructional program – ideal for “downhill-curious” veteran riders as well as off-trail beginners. Inspired by their award-winning winter program of the same name, “First Timer to Life Timer' awards a full-season lift pass to any rider who completes three 'Skills for the Hills' guided lessons at the mountain. 'Skills for the Hills' sessions are two hours each, and include bike rental, pad rental, daily lift tickets and instruction. The cost for a “First Timer to Life Timer' three-lesson package is $225 for adults, or $150 for kids.

Individual “Skills for the Hills” sessions are also available for $65 each for adults, and $50 each for children.

Also new for 2011, Sugarbush has expanded their base area terrain park and skill area. A popular destination for both beginning and expert riders, the area is within walking distance of the Gate House lodge, and includes more berms, jumps and rock features, as well as a new pump track.

Supporting both downhill and park riders, Sugarbush will be offering a new fleet of Banshee Bikes for rental out of the Gate House plaza. In addition to a fleet of race-ready downhill mountain bikes, Sugarbush will also rent helmets and pads.

Sugarbush mountain bike trail access is available 7 days a week from June 24 through Sept. 5, 2011; and weekends only between Sept. 6 and Oct. 6. Daily mountain biking lift tickets are $30 per day, or $249 for the full season. Terrain park-only passes are available for $5 a day.